Week 5 Rankings (2013) – Top 20 Tight Ends

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

There was a time when finding a dependable tight end, on a weekly basis, was hard to come by. While there are still a shortage of guarantees, the position is significantly deeper than it used to be. Who is the top options this week? Who should we be avoiding? Let’s take a look:

Jimmy Graham – New Orleans Saints – at Chicago

Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Denver

Jordan Cameron – Cleveland Browns – vs. Buffalo

Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – at Arizona

Julius Thomas – Denver Broncos – at Dallas

Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – at Oakland

Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – vs. New York Jets

Jared Cook – St. Louis Rams – vs. Jacksonville

Martellus Bennett – Chicago Bears – vs. New Orleans

Owen Daniels – Houston Texans – at San Francisco

Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Houston

Brandon Myers – New York Giants – vs. Philadelphia

Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers – vs. Detroit

Coby Fleener – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Seattle

Kellen Winslow – New York Jets – at Atlanta

Brandon Pettigrew – Detroit Lions – at Green Bay

Charles Clay – Miami Dolphins – vs. Baltimore

Mychal Rivera – Oakland Raiders – vs. San Diego

Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. New England `

Scott Chandler – Buffalo Bills – at Cleveland

Thoughts:

Julius Thomas exploded in Week 1 and scored in the first three weeks of the season. That said, he’s failed to eclipse 50 yards in three straight games and has totaled just 8 targets over the past two weeks. He has a favorable matchup and is still one of the better options in the league, but with so many options and a growing running game he’s not going to be one of the Top 3 option.

The Cowboys are going to have to pass to keep up with the Broncos and, with Miles Austin out, Jason Witten should be one of the prime targets. His biggest issue has always been TD, but he has 2 already this season and should be a force once again this week.

Greg Olsen draws an Arizona defense that has been abysmal against opposing tight ends this season. With his potential he has to be considered one of the Top 5 options.

Will Rob Gronkowski play this week or won’t he? We are keeping him off the rankings, for now, because of the uncertainty. If he dresses he’ll be a viable TE1, albeit a risky one in his first week back.

Jermichael Finley is trying to come back from a concussion, making him a very questionable option for the coming week. Keep that in mind before depending on him.

You have to think the Giants will go to a quicker passing game, don’t you? That should mean an expanded role for Brandon Myers, who has been hit or miss thus far. He has plenty of potential and should be considered a borderline TE1.

In three games this season Vernon Davis has 20 yards or fewer in two of them. He was banged up, costing him one game, so that has to be taken into account. Still, can you fully trust him in a matchup that is not an overly simply one? He’s a low-end option for the coming week.

I have 2 good TE J Cameron and Antonio Gates;
Buffalo is hot now. Should I start Cameron and sit Gates? or be safe with Gates and sit Cameron this time? I also have J Gordon to play and sit Reggie Wayne. Thanks.

I have Gronk and have been playing Myers in his absence, but it’s getting really old haha. The last 2 weeks Myers hasn’t even gotten 3pts for me (in total!). I’ve also read that the Eagles haven’t given up a TD to a tight end this season.

With all this in mind, if Gronk is still out, should I keep playing Myers or pick up Kellan Winslow. (I’m in a 10 team league and he is somehow the only good TE left…)

Te problem with Myers is that the Giants have needed him to block, as opposed to being a receiver. Me hold I still like him, I can nderstand the frustrations and I would say Winslow is on about the same level.

My league starts 5 positional players so it can be 1 RB and 4 receivers if need be. I have Foster and Martin at RB and WR would be Julio Jones, Randall Cobb, Brandon Marshall, and Hakeem Nicks and would leave my lone TE as Charles Clay.

I know TEs are thin and Bennett has proven a decent option but my thinking is Clay has been just as good an option and I could potentially in the near future trade Clay and Nicks for a better TE if need be. Do you agree or think Id be giving up too much to get Marshall. It’s a 1 pt PPR.